Watershed Leaders Network

STORIES

Sisters Charlotte Shivvers and Martha Shivvers Skillman of Knoxville, Iowa meet with their farmer, James Petersen, to discuss conservation

Develop a Clear Lease Arrangement

Matt Russell, resilient agriculture coordinator for Drake University Agricultural Law Center, says he frequently hears from farm landowners who wish they’d put conservation goals in lease agreements. “They want conservation on the land,” he explains, “but often lack the language, experience, and social support to initiate it.”

Landowners who are clear about their role and goals can improve the condition of land while building productivity and income. Russell, who fields calls for Drake’s Sustainable Land Tenure Initiative, observes that landowners typically drive conservation on leased land, but a farm lease arrangement is always a partnership.

Matt Russell snaps a selfie on his own farm.

“Landowners need farmers who share goals and are responsive to their wishes,” says Russell, “and farmers need leasing partners who are responsive to the realities of farming.

“The farmer,” he says, “can help by asking about landowner goals, explaining USDA farm cost-share programs geared to the operator, and looking for ways to partner with the landowner.” The operator can also offer first-hand knowledge of the land and operational insights for strong decision-making.

IDENTIFY GOALS, DISCUSS COSTS

The goal is a working alliance with clear responsibilities, strategies, costs, and benefits.

“Every conservation practice has benefits and costs,” says Russell. “You can include almost anything in a contract: tillage, government programs, grassed waterways, terraces, crop rotations, chemical use, seed, and so forth. But you must discuss costs. Identify what they are, and be as transparent as possible. Assign costs and benefits so it is equitable and fair to both parties. Build in flexibility, in case of extreme weather, and anticipate what it’s possible to anticipate.”

Conservation practices such as contour strip farming are manageable when landowner and tenant work together.

“With these tools landowners are finding more opportunities to use their own voices in lease arrangements,” says Russell. “There are lots of women landowners now. Conservation is important to them—an ethical value. They often have strong communication and relationship skills. In a farm lease relationship that’s a plus, because it is a lot less stressful to talk often and problem solve early. It’s less judgmental.”